On Nov. 25, the 2023 edition of the world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) exhibition — celebrating artistic composition, technical excellence and breathtaking views of the natural world — makes its North American debut at ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) in nearby Toronto. Featuring 100 stunning images from an international list of artists — including the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition — each of these photographs are beautifully presented in backlit illuminated frames for an enhanced visual experience.
This acclaimed show returns to the ROM from the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London, where the annual international competition is now in its 59th year. A ROM visitor favorite, this is the eleventh year in a row the museum has exhibited images from this prestigious global photography contest, with the exhibition on display until May 26, 2024. The winning images in each category and winners of the prestigious Grand Title Award and Young Grand Title Award will be announced by NHM at the gala awards event on the evening of Oct. 10.
“Many of this year’s photographs emphasize the perils being faced by wildlife around the world due to global changes,” says Dr. Soren Brothers, Allan and Helaine Shiff Curator of Climate Change and ROM curator for the exhibition. “The skill and dedication behind each of these photographs makes them all the more impactful and inspiring, but they also serve as a reminder for each of us to slow down and observe — and care for — the many plants, animals, and fungi around us, whose lives are intertwined with our own.”
The competition received an astounding 49,957 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels from 95 countries around the globe. Judged over two rounds by a jury of international experts, the photographers selected for exhibition receive the highest level of recognition for wildlife photography. In addition to the Grand Title winners, there are winners in 10 categories that include Animal in their Environment, Urban Wildlife, Behavior: Mammals, Under Water, Oceans-The Bigger Picture, Plants and Fungi, Rising Star, and more, including the hard-hitting photojournalism categories.
Many of the included photographs speak to the photographers’ acute awareness and insight about climate change, biodiversity loss, and human impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems. The NHM’s website highlights select photos that feature “how you can help” content for those who appreciate the photos but also want to learn and do more to protect nature, which offers suggestions ranging from planting native trees, keeping pets from harming wildlife, to joining online communities of citizen scientists or making purchases that keep the environment in mind.
For more information, please visit ROM.ca.
